Attorney for SU files motion to identify members of Theta Tau fraternity suing university

by CNYCentral

Theta Tau (CNYCentral file photo)

The five Theta Tau fraternity members that are suing Syracuse University are being asked to identify themselves.

The attorney defending Syracuse University filed a motion to require the name of the five students suing the school to be released.

Two videos of the fraternity surfaced in April depicting Theta Tau members and pledges participating in behavior that Chancellor Kent Syverud described as “racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, sexist and hostile to people with disabilities.”

According to The Daily Orange, the students were accused of multiple policy violations that include: physical harm or threats of physical harm, harassment beyond protected free speech, sexual abuse or harassment and illegal use, possession, purchase, distribution manufacture or sale of alcohol, drugs or controlled substances, among other things.

Syracuse University never named the 18 students who were charged with conduct violations. 15 of those students are facing suspensions of up to two years, while another three took deals with the school.

The fraternity was suspended after the first video of the events was released and then expelled shortly after that. The Daily Orange released a second video of the fraternity which depicted more offensive behavior.

The five students filed the lawsuit back in April as John Doe one through five, claiming they were unjustly removed from academic participation at the university and defamed by its officials.

According to documents, SU's attorney claimed the students should be publicly named because they are not at risk of harm and it does not involve matters that are highly sensitive or personal in nature.

In the lawsuit complaint, the Theta Tau members say the controversial videos have been misrepresented by the university and its officials. They say the actions captured in the videos were a satirical "roast."

If the court sides with Syracuse University, the names of the five students will be made public.